Where Were You December 30, 1964? The Music

I am going to list the songs they were playing on Chicago's WLS and WCFL AM stations on December 30, 1964. This, according to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Time Warp to that date. If there is anyone who knows more about the music of the 60s and 70s than Bob, I'd sure like to know who that might be. He's a walking encyclopedia.

He has to be about my age as his experiences of that era are really quite close to mine.

He started off by saying that on this date, many of us had just listened to our first full year of radio for the simple reason of that little old band from Liverpool that had really put our generation on its ears, and we called them the Beatles.

I, myself, really didn't pay much attention to radio before the Beatles burst upon us. Then, the old ear was glued to it all the time. I'd have to say they had a major impact on me.

The Songs December 30, 1964: words after are Bob Stroud's comments. In parentheses are my comments.

Love Potion #9-- Searchers-- originally an old hit for the Clovers. (I really like this one.)
Willow Weep for Me-- Chad & Jeremy-- brand new, your basic slow dance--could lead to anything, perhaps a Coke. (This was a gag me song.)
Saturday Night at the Movies-- Drifters-- (One of the great Beach Bands of all time.)
Come See About Me-- Supremes-- on it's way to being the third consecutive #1 hit for them.
As Tears Go By-- Marianne Faithful-- one of the groovy, swinging birds of England. Song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. (Boy, did I have a crush on her with that beautiful face and all that long straight blonde hair falling down.)
No Reply-- Beatles-- Bob decided to play side one of the new Beatles album in its entirety as 43 years ago, many of us had gotten the Fab 4's latest album, "Beatles '65" under the Christmas tree a week earlier. The first three songs were all written by John Lennon. (I still like the pre "Rubber Soul" Beatles the best. It's kind of strange that when you listen to those early Beatles albums, you just instinctively know what the next song is. You'd listen to one whole side, turn it over, listen to side B, then turn it over again and continue to do so until the parents yelled at you to turn that racket off.)
I'm a Loser-- Beatles
Baby's in Black-- Beatles
Rock and Roll Music-- Beatles-- cover of a Chuck Berry song
I'll Follow the Sun-- Beatles-- cover of a Dr. Feelgood song
Mr. Moonlight-- Beatles-- one of the strangest Beatles covers ever
Dance, Dance, Dance-- Beach Boys-- keeping right up with the Beatles. Band out of Hawthorne, Ca, three Wilson brothers, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. (One of the best road songs ever written even though they never mentioned a car or the road, just turning up the radio. It's got the beat. Just try not to tap along when you hear it.)
The Warmth of the Sun--Beach Boys-- one of Brian Wilson's best ballads to date
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling-- Righteous Brothers-- produced by Phil Spectbecame one of the most talked about songs on the radio. Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield-- the Righteous Brothers. Would go on to be a #1 song in 1965, but, we're getting our first taste of it. (Every time I hear it now, I can't help but think of that scene in the bar in "Top Gun.")
Walking in the Rain-- Ronettes-- a Phil Spectre production as well. (Before he went weird on us.)
Anyway You Want It-- Dave Clark 5-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee this year. A new release from "the bodacious, the raucus, the righteous "Anyway You Want It." (Possibly the first single/45 I ever bought. It is about time they got inducted.)
Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)-- Del Shannon-- just debuted by the late great Hall of Famer. ( Love that "Wheeoh" and organ.)
I'm Into Something Good-- Herman's Hermits-- newest band of the British invasion which just kept on coming. The first of many, many hits for them. (You just had to love those Hermits songs. The first album I ever bought was either their greatest hits or the Beatles "Rubber Soul", but I don't remember for sure.)
Boom Boom-- Animals-- One if by land, two if by sea, the British continued their invasion. New one and a cover of an old John Lee Hooker blues classic.
She's Not There-- Zombies-- went to top ten
Leader of the Laundromat-- Detergents-- and that's what they call a parody song. New York studio musicians and songwriters were quick to jump on the Shangri-Las "Leader of the Pack. ("Who's that banging on the piano? I don't know.")
She's a Woman-- Beatles-- Not much of a big surprise back then. Both A and B sides were number one in Chicago. This "B" side written by Paul McCartney. (Pretty much all of the Beatles songs went to Number One. Love the guitar intro to this one)
I Feel Fine-- Beatles-- by John Lennon

Bob Stroud introduces each segment with a little bit of another song beeing played at the time. Some of these were:

Mr. Lonely-- Bobby Vinton-- The Polish Prince, this was his second #1 hit of 1964. The first was "There, I've Said it Again" was displaced by the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand", their first #1.
Do Wacka Doo-- Roger Miller-- (some real silly stuff)
Wild One-- Martha & the Vandellas--
The Name Game-- Shirley Ellis--
Mountain of Love-- Johnny Rivers-- newcomer

Hey, I Remembered Where I Was. Evidently. --RoadDog